Form for molding concrete piles



July 27, 1948. A. E. TROlEL FORM FOR MOLDING CONCRETE FILES Original Filed Aug; 13, 1941 INVENTOR. ARTHUR a. mom.

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ATTOENEK Patented July 27, 1948 FORM FOR MOLDING CONCRETE PIL E S- Arthur E. Troiel, Berkeley, Calif., assignor t'o Troiel Companies, Inc., Berkeley, Calif; acorporation of California Continuation of application Serial No. 406,609,

August 13, 1941. This application February 14, 1945, Serial No. 577,863 7 1 My invention relates to forms, andmore particularly to forms for the production of reinforced concrete piles.

maybe cast in a neatly stacked arrangement upon the others,

(4) Which, when employed in a gang, Will upon removal from the finished piles, leave the individual piles sufficiently spaced from the neighboring' piles as to permit ready access thereto with lifting hooks,

(5) Which may be increased to a desired length merely by the insertion of side w'allsections adapted for the purpose,

(6) Which will produce a pile with a tapered end and one havin beveled or chamfered edges both around the top as well as along thelongitudinal corners, l

(7) Which, when assembled as a gangform,

leaves the space abovethe form free of obstructions, so as to permit freedom of operation of bucket cranes and buggies customarily employed in the pouring of concrete into the forms.

Additional objects of my invention will bebrought out in the following description-of the same taken in conjunction with the accompanying 'drawingswherein l Figure 1 is a view in perspective, partly broken away, disclosing a preferred form of my inven-- tion,

Figure 2 is a View in section, partly broken away, ofa gang form embodying my invention, and illustrating the manner of mounting the same upon previously formed piles,

t Figure 3 is a-rear viewin elevation, of a capor closure for that end of aform which determines the upperendof a pile;

With reference to the aforementioneddrawings,

the individual form comprises a pair of parallel side walls 5 terminating in sidewall extensions l which are angularly disposed toward ea'chother inform a tapered end of a pile; The side walls may-she formed of one or more side wall sections 9 "which are adapted to :be clamped: togetherdn I alignment, whereby the iorm -may be extended to produce a pile of any desired-lengthi The end of the form which represents the tenor the pile, isclosed by a suitable closure 1 I. 1

Each side wall section is -formedfrom a' rectangular sheet, the upper and lower longitudinal regions-thereof being bent to provide an inwardly directed 45 angle chamfer strip-l3, a horizontal strip sect-ion l5 along the edge of-the charnfer strip, and a short vertical flange llalong the free edge of the horizontal strip sect-ion, thus leaving an intermediate portionor web l-8.' Affixed to each end of a side wall section, is an end wall 19 which conforms in contour with thecontourof the sheet as bent toprovide thechamfer strips, horizontal strip sections, etc. of these end walls is formed with an outwardly extending portion 21, providing an upper and lower shoulder 23, and is provided with apair of perforations 25 therethroughto receive a clamp 21 for holding two side wall sectionstoge'the'r in alignment.

This clamp is of 'U-shape, having a-spacingbetween the leg portions thereof, approximately equal to the thicknessof two end walls one; of the legs isprovidedwith an integral tab 29 in the plane thereof, such tabhaving a pivot 3| riveted thereto. Laterally extending from the opposite'leg of the-clamp is atab 33. In employing the clamp to hold two side wall sectionsin alignment; the side wall sections are placed with the end Wall of one of them against the endfwall of the other sidewall section, and with the perforations in alignment, the-pivot 3| ofthe clamp is passed through two of the alignedperforations and the U-shaped portion then'swung into clamping position, straddling the outer edges of theadjacent end walls;- The laterally extending tab 33 is useful inha-mmering the clamp home and, further, in releasing the-same whenit is desired to disassemble the form. A pairof clamps will suflice in holding two of the side wallsections in properly aligned position. r

In the embodiment under consideration, each "side wall'e'xtension 'l is formed from :a sidewall section, by notching through the upper and lower chamfer strips [3 and adjacent portions of the horizontal strip sections l5, leaving only theweb l8 uncut. This permits the side wall extension to be flexed in either direction, and in making up a form, the opposed side wall extensions'arehent toward each other and rigidly maintained in 'such position by suitable holding means; extending across thence edges of the} sidewall x-ten'sions.

"Such holding'means 1m the embodiment illlw trated by me, comprises a plate 35 attached to the web of the extension and terminating in a lateral flange 31. The dimensions of the plates are such that by bringing the two side wall extensions toward each other until the flanges 31 contact one another,a proper taper will result. In this position, the flanges are clamped, through the use of a U-shaped clamp 21 similar to that described in connection with clamping the ends of adjacent side wall sections together, the flanges being suitably perforated for the purpose.

At the far end of the form, which is to determine the upper end of a pile, the form is closed by th cap or closure II. This cap is substantially rectangular in shape, with corners removed so that the cap may be fitted into the open end of the form between the side walls. The edges of the cap are turned inwardly on an angle of approximate 45" to form a border of chamfer strips 39 around the cap, these chamfer strips serving to impart a beveled or chamfered edge around the top end of the finished pile. V

. The cap is retained in position during the pouring of a form, by suitable holding means at each corner of the cap, which are adapted to engage the chamfer strips of the side walls. One form which such holding means may take, may comprise a suitable nail guide 41 preferably Welded to the cap, adjacent each corner thereofand directed toward the nearestside wall chamfer strip I3. The chamfer strip in this region is perforated with a string of small holes 43 to receive a nail 45 or corresponding element which is inserted through the nail guide and directed toward one of the perforations. The presence of a series of perforations permits of adjustment of the cap in the form.

In employing a form, it is customary to provide a bottom surface between the side walls, and this determines one wall of the finished pile. After a pile has once been formed, it might itself then provide the surface upon which another pile may be formed. In order to readily support the form upon a previously finished pile 46, each of the side wall sections, as well as the side wall extensions, has afiixed thereto, .a series of short legs 41 shaped to provide a 45 shoulder and so positioned as to afford a complementary fit with the chamfered edges of the pile upon which the form is to rest. In lieu of spaced legs 41 as illustrated, a leg extending the entire length of each side wall section may be employed, in which case, contact will be made throughout the entire length of the pile upon which the form is mounted.

Before pouring concrete into a form, it is desirable to spread a sheet of paper or equivalent material upon that surface on which the form is supported. This will not only preclude possibility of adhesion of the two piles, but offers a smooth surface upon which the concrete is poured, thereby giving a smooth finished effect to the pile under construction. i

In the manufacture of piles, particularly those of the concrete type, it is customary to reinforce the same with a reinforcing network of steel. Such reinforcing network might include longitudinally disposed rods or bars extending practically the full length of the pile. At spaced intervals, such network may be suspended from,

cross-bars straddling the side walls, with the longitudinally disposed rods preferably protruding through the cap H. .For this purpose, the cap is provided with the desired number of openings or holes 49 to receive the ends of the rods. When this procedure is followed, the cap is preferably 4 countersunk around each of the holes to receive a felt washer or the like for the purpose of precluding leakage of freshly poured concrete, through the cap openings around the rods which extend therethrough. Following the setting of a pile and the removal of the form, the protruding ends of the reinforcing rods are preferably bent over to provide anchoring means for any concrete components of a superstructure which may subsequently be added.

To enhance the economy in the use of my impro ed form, as well as to facilitate the assembling of the same, I prefer to so construct the components that the forms may be ganged for simultaneonus use, whereby a plurality of piles may be cast. at one time. To this end, the side wall sections 9 are joined together in pairs by means of toggle connections 5| located at spaced intervals, these joined side wall sections then forming elements of the adjacent side walls of adjacent individual forms.

The toggle connection which joins such side wall sections, comprises a pair of side members 53 of angle iron, of a length equal to the height of a side wall section, and having an intermediate lateral web 55 extending the full length thereof. These side members are connected by upper and lower toggle links 51 and 59 respectively. ,The lower links are two in number, extending between the side wall sections, one on either side of the plane of the webs 55. One of these links is pivoted at one end to one web, while the other is pivoted to the other web. This leaves the free end of each link in position to slide against one of the Webs when such link is shifted aboutits pivot connection. With the links so pivoted to the respective webs, they are also pivotally secured at their mid-points to each other, and to the lower end of an operating handle 6| which extends upwardly between the side members. Adjacent the upper end of the operating handle, there is pivotally anchored, one end of each of the upper links, each of which is also pivotally secured at its other end to the web of one of the side-members; ;A hole 63 through the upper end of the operating handle, agapts it for the reception of a lifting hook or the li e.

In assembling the toggle connection to the two side wall sections to be joined, each side member 53 isdisposed between the horizontal strip'sections I5 of a side wall section and against the web 18 of such side wall section. A portion of theupper and lower flanges ll of the'side'wall section, at points to either side of the side member web 55, is slit and then crimped under and against the web, thereby securely fastening the toggle connection to that side wall section. i

In use, the gang form is assembled by spreading the toggle connections and then aligning and joinin the number of side wall sections necessary to give the desired length of pile. To one end of the assembled sections is similarly aflixed,'a side wall section having a side wall extension adapted for the formation of the taper in therform as abling' the application across the various forms.

of bridging members 61 such bridging members are preferably formed of wooden beams which may be nailed to the two-by-four beams previously discussed. Certain of these may be .usedin suspending a reinforcing network in the form prior to pouring of the concrete, while othersimay be employed as part of a Walk for buggies which are sometimes employed in lieu of bucket cranes for conveying and pouring concrete into I the forms may be disassembled by opening the same at each end, leaving the side walls ina position to be withdrawn from engagement with the piles, and such withdrawal is readily effected by lifting upon the toggle control handles. Such operation of the toggle connections draws the Side walls toward each other a distance away from the piles, sufficient to permit the side walls or the side wall sections to be lifted away from the finished piles, for subsequent use. This leaves the individual piles spaced from each other a distance which provides sufiicientroom between the piles for the introduction of hooks for removal of the piles to a conveyor or carrier for hauling to the point'of use.

Facilities are preferably provided for bracing the end walls of each gang of forms. For this purpose, I include a series of bracing strips 69 and H at spaced intervals in the outside forms of the gang. Both have one end inserted beneath the side wall preceding the end wall and retained against displacement by a wedge 73 fitted into aligned slots in these members adjacent this side wall and bearing against an intermediate element .14 which contacts both the lower edge of the wall and a leg 41 to give support to the wedge.

The bracing strip 69 extends horizontally beyond the outer. wall and this end is similarly slotted to receive a wedge 75 and supporting element [6 in pressure engagement against the lower flange ll of the outer wall.

The strip H passes diagonally across the form and over the upper surface of the outer wall and, like the strip 69, is anchored by a wedge 11 and a supporting element 19, this supporting element being of L-shape, thus enabling it to be hooked under the flange i! so as to provide proper support for the wedge.

My invention is susceptible to changes and improvements, without departing from the principles involved. I accordingly do not desire to be limited in my protection to the detail disclosure of my preferred form as set forth above, except as may be necessitated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self-sustaining side wall component for a pile form, comprising a substantially rectangular web having inwardly directed chamfer strips along the upper and lower edges thereof, and including a relatively thin end wall at one end of said web, shaped to conform to the end contour offered by said web and chamier strips, and having a lateral oifset in substantially the plane of said end Wall to provide an oifset shoulder below the upper edge of said side wall component.

2. A self-sustaining side wall component for a pile form, comprising a substantially rectangular web h'aving inwardly directed chamfer strips along the upper and lower edges thereof, a hori- 'zontal strip section having? an edge in common with an edge of the upper of said ohamfer strips, a horizontal strip section having an edge in common with an edge of the lower of said chamfer strips, and a relatively thin end wall at one end of said web, shaped to conform to the end contour oiferediby saidweb, chamier strips and horizontal strip sections, and having a lateral offset in substantially the plane of said end wallto provide an offset shoulder below the upper edge of said side wall component.

3. Adjacent side Wall components for a gang form comprising; a pair of side wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang, each said wall section including a substantially rectangular web having outwardly directed ch anifer strips along the upper and lower edges thereof and an end wallat one end of said web, shaped to conform to the end contour offered by said web and chamfer strips and having a latcral offset providing an offset shoulder; and means joining said sections into a unit assembly, said means being adjustable to vary the spacing between. said sections, and disposed below the planeof said offset shoulders.

4. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising; a pair of side Wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang, said wall including a substantially rec tangular web having outwardly directed cham fer strips along the upper and lower edges thereof and an end Wall at one end of said web,

taped to conform to the end contour offered by said web and chamfer strips andhaving a lateral .oliset providing an offset shoulder; and means joining said sections at spaced intervals into a unit assembly, said means being adjust able to vary the spacing between said, sections, and disposed below theplane of said offset shoulders.

5. A side wall component for a pile iorni coinprising a plurality of substantially rectangular web sections of sheet material of uniform Width, each bent to provide chamfer strips along the upper and lower edges thereof, a relatively thin end wall disposed at the end of each adjacent web section, each shaped to conform to the end cont-our of its associated web section and having a lateral ofiset providing an ofiset shoulder, and means securing the end walls of adjacent web sections together with the web sections in matched end-to-end relationship.

6. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising; a pair of side Wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang, each of said side wall sections including an end wall having an oifset slightly below the upper edge of said side wall section and extending laterally in the direction of the other side wall section to provide between said side wall sections a pair of shoulders below the plane of the upper edges thereof for the support of a beam.

7. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising; a pair of side wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang, each of said side wall sections including an end wall having an offset slightly below the upper edge of said side wall section and extending laterally in the direction of the other side wall section to provide between said side wall sections a pair of shoulders below the plane of the upper edges thereof for the support of a beam; and means interconnecting said side wall sections into a unit assembly capable of being moved about as such, said means bein disposed below the level of said shoulders.

8. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising; a pair of side Wall sections,

each providing a side for a difierent form of the gang, each of said side wall sections including an end wall having an offset slightly below the upper edge of said side wall section and extending laterally in the direction of the other side wall section to provide between said side wall sections a pair of shoulders below the plane of the upper edges thereof for the support of a beam; and a plurality of toggle means interconnecting said side wall sections into a unit assembly capable of being moved about as such and enabling said side wall sections to be adjustably spaced from each other, each of said toggle means including an operating handle extending upwardly but terminating below the level of said shoulders.

9. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising, a pair of independent side wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang; and means joining said sections into a unit assembly capable of being moved about as such and associated with other similar assemb-lies to constitute a gang form, said means constituting a plurality of toggle connections, each including upper and lower toggle links pivotally anchored at one end to each of said side wall sections, an operating handle intermediate said side wall sections and terminating below the plane of the upper edges of said side wall sections, and means pivotally securing said links to said operating handle.

10. Adjacent side wall components for a gang form comprising, a pair of independent side wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang; and means joining said sections into a unit assembly capable of being moved about as such and associated with other similar assemblies to constitute a gang form, said means constituting a plurality of toggle connections, each including a short vertically disposed beam afilxed to each of said side sections and having a web extending laterally toward the other, upper and lower toggle links pivotally anchored at one end to said laterally extending webs, an operating handle intermediate said side wall sections and terminating below the plane of the upper edges of said side wall sections, and means pivotally securing said links to said operating handle.

11. Adjacent side wall components for a'gang form comprising, a pair of independent side wall sections, each providing a side for a different form of the gang; and means joining said sections into a unit assembly capable of being moved about as such and associated with other similar assemblies to constitute a gang form, said means constituting a plurality of toggle connections, each including a short vertically disposed beam amxed to each of said side sections and having a web extending laterally toward the other, a lower toggle link pivotally anchored at one end to one side of one of said laterally extend-ing webs and terminating alongside the corresponding side of said other web, a second lower toggle link pivotally anchored to the other side of said other web and terminating alongside the other side of said first web, upper toggle links pivotally anchored to said webs, an operating handle intermediate said side wall sections and terminating below the plane of the upper edges of said side wall sections, and means pivotally securing all of said links to said operating handle.

ARTHUR E. TROIEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Marchbanks Aug, 22, 1944 

